snarkypup, With saddle time smoothness and knowing how much to shift will all come together, but it seems you have the basics of how to use the gears already. I'm guessing that the LH shifter for the front derailleur is friction and the shifter for the rear derailleur is indexed. This is how I have my two DT shifting bikes set up. The non indexed front shifter allows for 'trimming' the FD to prevent any chain rubbing on the FD cage (what the chain passes through).

Brad